The Trojans practiced Saturday for the last time until Friday (Dec. 14), allowing players to focus on final exams and coaches to hit the road hard recruiting. “We’ll be all over the place next week,” Pete Carroll told Rivals. At the conclusion of practice, Carroll told the media that three players stood out during the first two bowl practices: WR Ronald Johnson, LB Malcolm Smith, and OL Alex Parsons (who Carroll said “looks like a different guy.”)

• Junior LB Rey Maualuga reiterated Saturday that he will return for his senior season even if he has a “remarkable” Rose Bowl telling the LA Times, “I feel confident in my decisions. Mom’s happy.” Earlier in the season, Maualuga joined fellow linebacker Brian Cushing in telling the media they would return for their final season of eligibility.
• With John David Booty on a field trip for class, Mitch Mustain took a good number of extra snaps Saturday, telling reporters he felt better than he did Friday, playing “a lot faster and better.” The transfer quarterback did, however, throw an interception to walk-on CB Matthew Jordan on a seemingly safe-dump off to Joe McKnight.
• WR Damian Williams, after having surgeries on both shoulders this year after transfering from Arkansas with Mustain, said he’s healthier now than at any time since high school.
• DT Sedrick Ellis was selected to the Football Writers Association of America’s All-American first team.
• When asked about Illinois, Carroll compared their offense to Oregon (big, good running back in Mendenhall and a fast, mobile quarterback in Juice Williams) and their defensive to style to that of Cal.

Insider: Tailbacks shake out, finally (Rivals, $)
USC looks to keep a lid on Illinois’ Juice (LA Daily News)
Competition starts to replace Booty (LA Times)